Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. WCU

Lenoir Rhyne University and Western Carolina University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Lenoir Rhyne University
Western Carolina University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: WCU (81.8% admitted vs 84.6%). Typical SAT 1180 vs N/A.
  • Cheaper after aid: WCU. Average net price is $13,767 vs $21,546 at Lenoir-Rhyne University.
  • Graduation: Lenoir-Rhyne University 47% vs WCU 50%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Lenoir-Rhyne University $42,000 vs WCU $39,100 (median).
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Key differences

Lenoir Rhyne University Western Carolina University
Acceptance rate
WCU more selective
Lenoir-Rhyne University84.6%
WCU81.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
WCU higher
Lenoir-Rhyne University-
WCU1080-1270
Average net price
WCU $7,779 less
Lenoir-Rhyne University$21,546
WCU$13,767
In-state tuition
WCU $27,270 less
Lenoir-Rhyne University$31,900
WCU$4,630
Out-of-state tuition
WCU $23,270 less
Lenoir-Rhyne University$31,900
WCU$8,630
Graduation rate
WCU +3 pts
Lenoir-Rhyne University47%
WCU50%
Median earnings (10 years)
Lenoir-Rhyne University +$2,900
Lenoir-Rhyne University$42,000
WCU$39,100

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at Lenoir-Rhyne University Check my chances at WCU
  • Applied
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 3,666
  • WCU 19,742
  • Admitted
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 3,101
  • WCU 16,154
  • Acceptance rate
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 84.6%
  • WCU 81.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 11%
  • WCU 12.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • WCU 1180
  • Typical ACT score
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • WCU 22
  • Average high school GPA
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 3.41
  • WCU 3.44
  • Typical high school grades
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University B+
  • WCU B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University Unavailable
  • WCU Moderate
  • Applicant competition
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • WCU
  • SAT range
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • WCU 1080-1270
  • ACT range
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • WCU 19-25
  • Submit test scores
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University Test-free
  • WCU Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • WCU Mar 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $31,900
  • WCU $4,630
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $31,900
  • WCU $8,630
  • Room & board
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $13,400
  • WCU $12,354
  • Average net price
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $21,546
  • WCU $13,767
  • Average grant aid
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $23,467
  • WCU $5,993
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 100%
  • WCU 81%
  • Graduation rate
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 47%
  • WCU 50%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $42,000
  • WCU $39,100
  • Making student loan payments
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 66%
  • WCU 58%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $27,000
  • WCU $22,010
  • Median loan payment
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University $279
  • WCU $227
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 15:1
  • WCU 16:1
  • Popular majors
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
    • Health Professions (18%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Education (14%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (11%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • WCU
    • Education (20%)
    • Health Professions (16%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Engineering Technology (8%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
  • Location
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University Hickory, NC
  • WCU Cullowhee, NC
  • Setting
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University Small City
  • WCU Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University 2,256
  • WCU 11,686
  • Type
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University Private 4 Year
  • WCU Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Lenoir-Rhyne University
  • WCU #698

Comparable Facts

Compare Lenoir Rhyne University in Hickory, NC with Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Western Carolina University is larger than Lenoir-Rhyne University based on total student enrollment (11,686 students vs. 2,256 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Lenoir Rhyne University is located in Hickory, NC (Small City setting); Western Carolina University is in Cullowhee, NC (Distant Town setting).
  • Lenoir Rhyne University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western Carolina University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Lenoir Rhyne University 15:1; Western Carolina University 16:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western Carolina University are 7.8% lower than at Lenoir Rhyne University ($12,354 vs. $13,400).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 269.6% higher at Lenoir-Rhyne University than at Western Carolina University (about $23,270 more per year; $31,900 vs. $8,630).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Lenoir Rhyne University than at Western Carolina University (100% vs. 81%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Lenoir Rhyne University students is 291.6% larger than aid received by Western Carolina University students ($23,467 vs. $5,993).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Lenoir-Rhyne University, test optional at WCU.
  • Typical fall application deadline: WCU Mar 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at WCU average a 3.44 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Lenoir-Rhyne University (3.41).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11% at Lenoir-Rhyne University vs. 12.7% at WCU.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Western Carolina University graduates have a $4,990 lower median loan debt than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($22,010 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates ($227 vs. $279).
  • More Lenoir-Rhyne University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former WCU students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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